Panel clip

ABSTRACT

A panel clip that is adapted to support panel boards on studs for random removal of the panels from the studs. The clip includes a leg having protrusions extending into the edge of the panel board and a resilient extension having a snap fit over a panel board supporting flange on the stud.

United States Patent Downing, Jr.

Dec. 2, 1975 PANEL CLIP lnventor:

Assignee:

Filed:

Appl. No.:

Lucien R. Downing, Jr., Westlake, Ohio Donn Products, Inc., Westlake, Ohio Apr. 8, 1974 Related U.S. Application Data Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 360,404, May 14, 1973, abandoned, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 168,675, Aug. 3, 1971, abandoned U.S. Cl...... Int. C1.

............... 24/259; 52/489; 24/73 13 A44B 21/00; E04B 5/52 Field of Search 52/489, 509; 24/259,- 73 B,

Primary ExaminerPaul R. Gilliam Assistant Examiner-Doris L, Troutman [57] ABSTRACT A panel clip that is adapted to support panel boards on studs for random removal of the panels from the studs. The clip includes a leg having protrusions extending into the edge of the panel board and a resilient extension having a snap fit over a panel board supporting flange on the stud.

11 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures I3 fl, 7 5

7 I6 29 l 33 J 5 24 22 I0 25 I7 A l9 3" 18 US. Patent Dec. 2, 1975 Sheet 1 of 2 3,922,764

fi, 7 5 15 g- 1. 5

a NI 33 J r E 24 U.S. Patent Dec. 2, 1975 Sheet 2 of2 3,922,764

PANEL CLIP This Application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 360,404, filed May 14, 1973 now abandon, and entitled PANEL CLIP, such being a continuation of U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 168,675, filed Aug. 3, 1971, now abandon, and entitled PANEL CLIP.

It is an object of this invention to provide a clip secured to a panel board adapted to have a friction fit with a wall stud in a manner permitting outward removal of the panel board from the stud.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a combination of panel clip and stud wherein the clip can be secured to a panel board and the stud in a manner permitting outward removal of the panel board from the stud.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide a plurality of clips secured to a panel board and a wall stud in a manner permitting outward removal of the panel board from the stud.

It is another object of this invention to provide a combination of panel boards, securing clips and wall studs wherein the clips secure the panel boards to the studs for random removal of the panel boards from the studs.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the panel clip of this invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates another perspective view of the panel clip of this invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates the panel clip of this invention inserted into the edge of a panel board;

FIG. 4 illustrates a plan view of the panel board with panel clips;

FIG. 5 illustrates a sectional view of the combination panel boards, wall stud, and panel clips;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a modified panel clip and combination with a modified wall stud; and,

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the panel clip of FIG. 6.

It has been found desirable in the industry of fabricated ceiling and wall structures to provide an attachment of a panel board to a supporting stud of the type permitting random removal of the panel boards from the studs to provide access to the wall or ceiling plenum. The combination clip and supporting stud of this invention as illustrated in the annexed drawings, permits such random panel board removal.

In FIG. 5, there is illustrated the combination panel clip 1, stud 2, and panel board 3. The panel board shown in the combination is a gypsum-board type panel board. The stud 2 comprises an elongated stud support base 4 which extends from floor to ceiling and provides an air space or plenum between adjacent panel boards 3 as illustrated. The stud 2 contains symmetrically opposed panel and clip supporting portions, one of which will be described in detail. The support base 4 includes an extension 5 having a reverse bend 6 and outward extension 7. The extension 5 provides a stop for inward deflection of the board support flange 11 as will become apparent hereinafter.

The outward extension 7 contains right angle bends of comers 8 and 9 between which is provided a flange 10. The board support flange 11 extends from the corner 9 back toward the extension 5 to right angle bends or comers 12 and 13 to provide a board support flange 2 as illustrated. Between the corners 12 and 13 is a flange 14, which, along with flange 10, coact with the panel clip 1 as will become apparent hereinafter. An inward extension 15 extends from corner 13 and is provided with an angle stop 16 extending upward toward the .board support flange 11. The angle stop 16 along with extension 5 provide stops for inward deflection of the board support flange 11.

Each clip 1 comprises a leg 17 having protrusions 18 adapted to extend into the side edges 3 of the panel boards. The legs 17 are supported on the edge 3' of the panel boards with the angle or bend at 19 between leg 17 and protrusions 18 permitting the leg 17 to sit flush with the side edge face 3 of the panel boards. The protrusions 18 comprise teeth-type members 20 cut out of the leg 17. As illustrated in the drawings, there are two such teeth-type members 20 shown; however, it is apparent within the scope of the invention more than or less than two teeth-type members could be utilized. There is a recess or cut-out at 21 between the protrusions 18 to facilitate insertion of the protrusions into the edge 3 of the panel board.

Extending from the opposite edge 17' of leg 17 through a bend 23 is a clip flange 22 which provides a board supporting surface co-operating with the board support flange 11, as illustrated. Attached to the clip flange 22 through a bend 25 is a clip insertion flange 24 containing a lead face 26 disposed at an angle to the clip flange 24. Cut out of the face of the insertion flange 24 is a clip retaining portion 27 having a outwardly extending resilient portion 28 and an inwardly extending resilient portion 29 disposed at an angle thereto. The inwardly extending portion 29 terminates in an edge 30 spaced from the bend or corner 25. The distance or space between the edge 30 and the corner 25 is equal or less than the width of flanges l0 and 14 to permit the clip, when inserted upon the stud, to resiliently retain the clip on the stud, as will become apparent hereinafter.

In erecting a wall structure in accordance with this invention, a plurality of studs are vertically disposed between the floor and ceiling with the flanges 10 facing towards the flanges 14 of an adjacent stud. Then, the clips 1 are placed on the panel boards by insertion of the protrusions 18 into the side edges 3' of the panel boards. Then the panel board is placed against the studs with the lead angles 26 of the clip insertion flange 24 placed against the flanges 10 of one stud and flanges 14 of an adjacent stud. Pressure is then applied at the edges of each of the panel'boards causing the leads 26 to run up the flanges 10 and 14 respectively causing the clips 1 to bend at the comers 25 outwardly away from the flanges 10 and 14. As additional pressure is applied, the clip retaining portion 27 comes in contact with each of the flanges 10 and 14 causing the clip retaining portion 27 to deform causing the inward portion 29 with its edge 30 to move in a direction toward the clip insertion flange 24 and into cut-out 32 so that the clip retaining portion 27 with its inward extension 29 will pass partially through the opening or cut-out 32 between the legs 24' and 24" of the clip insertion flange 24. As this deformation of the clip retaining portion 27 occurs, the outward portion 28 of the clip retaining portion 27 will ride up the flanges 10 and 14 to a point where the bend 33 between the outward portion 28 and inward portion 29 will pass over the flanges l0 and 14 and more specifically, the corners 8 and 13 respectively thereof. At this point, the inward portion 29 will come into contact with the flanges 10 and 14 and through the resiliency of the clip retaining portion 27 will force the panel board toward the stud until the clip flange 22 rests upon the board support flange 11 of the stud 2. At this point, as previously mentioned, since the space between the end 30 of the inward portion 29 of the clip retaining portion 27 is spaced from the bend 25 a distance less than the width of flanges 10 and 14 there will be continuous force retaining the board against a support flange 1 1.

Random removal of panel boards from studs can be accomplished by insertion of a tool between adjacent legs 17 of adjacent clips 1 and under the clip flange 22. Outward force by such tool will cause the deformation of the clip retaining portion 27 into the space 32 between the legs 27 and 27' of the clip retaining portion 27 until the bend 33 between the outward portion 28 and inward portion 29 passes over the flanges l and 14. Thereafter, the resiliency of the clip retaining portion 27 will cause ready removal of the panel board outwardly. It can thus be seen that individual panel boards can be inserted and removed readily from the studs without interfering with the position of adjacent panel boards.

The clip members are formed by conventional rolling and cutting operations from sheet stock metal and are than placed in a heat treating facility to temper the clips to the required resiliency to perform the novel functions described above.

Attention is now directed to FIGS. 6 and 7 which illustrate a modified panel clip 40 and wall stud 41 combination for supporting panel boards 43. This arrangement is also for supporting gypsum-type panel board in a floor to ceiling relationship with the panel clips 40 supporting the panel boards on studs 41 for easy installation and removal of the boards from the wall studs. The studs 41 comprise an elongated support base 44 which extends from floor to ceiling and provides an air space or plenum between adjacent panel boards 42 as illustrated in FIG. 6.

The studs comprise back-to-back substantially U- shaped members 42 which are spot welded or connected by any conventional means at 49 along support base 44. Each support base 44 has outward extensions 45 at each end terminating in a reverse bend 46 forming a corner portion 47 for receipt of the panel clip upon insertion of the panel clip on the stud allowing the clip to pass over the extension 45 and be retained on the stud as will become apparent hereinafter. The panel clip is retained on the rear panel clip support portion 48 of the stud. In the same fashion as in the modification of FIGS. 1 to 5, the extension 45 of the stud forms a backing means for the panel board along its edge.

The support base 44 of studs 41 along their longitudinal length are provided with angularly displaced portions 50 which extend at 51 into outward extensions 45 providing a space 52 between adjacent abutting portions of base 44. The space 52 is adapted to receive tabs 53 of panel clips 40 as will become apparent hereinafter.

The panel clips 40 are substantially of the same configuration as the panel clips illustrated in FIGS. 1 to and function to support the panel boards on the studs for easy installation and removal. The panel clips 40 have a protrusion 54 for insertion into the side edge of the panel boards 42 and a leg 55 at right angles to the protrusions 54 adapted to be positioned along the edge of the panel board. The leg 55 contains a clip flange 56 similar to clip flange 22 and a clip insertion flange 57 similar to clip insertion flange 24.

The clip insertion flange 57 also has a lead face 58 disposed at an angle to clip flange 57 to assist in locat- 5 ing and inserting the clip on the stud. A clip retaining portion 59 having a resilient portion 60 angularly disposed thereto at 61 also provides the resilient connection between the clip and clip support portion 48 of the stud in same fashion as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5.

1O Displaced out of the face of the clip flange 56 is a locating and locking tab 53 which has an end portion 63 extending beyond the locking angle portion 61 of the clip retaining portion 59 as illustrated by dot-dash line 62 in FIG. 7.

In assembly of the panel boards to the wall stud in the modification of FIGS. 6 and 7, the panel clips are inserted into the panel boards in the same fashion as in FIGS. 1 to 5. The tabs 53 are then inserted into space 52 between support bases 44 and the panel board is pressed toward the stud until clip retaining portion 59 of the panel clips abut and pass over extensions 45 of the stud and rest on clip support portion 48 of the stud. Since the ends 63 of the tabs 53 are disposed further from clip flange 56 than the locking angle portion 61 of clip retaining portion 59, the clip and panel board are held by the stud against lateral movement during insertion of the clip retaining portion 59 on the stud. In this fashion, each individual panel board, during insertion and removal from a stud, is independent of the adjacent panel board.

I claim 1. A wall stud for supporting the edges of panel boards in adjacent relationship thereon by means of clip members comprising:

a. an elongated support base adapted to extend from floor to ceiling, and having opposed marginal edges;

b. said support base being adapted to support panel boards in back-to-back relation with an intermediate plenum therebetween by means of opposed panel board supporting portions carried on said marginal edges of said support base;

c. each of said panel board supporting portions comprising an outward extension attached to said support base on the marginal edge thereof, and disposed at an angle to said support base;

d. a panel board support flange carried by said outward extension on a reversely bent portion on said outward extension to extend inwardly toward said support base marginal edges; I

e. said panel board support flange terminating in another reversely bent portion having an inwardly extension extending toward said support base; and,

f. said panel board support portions being adapted to support the marginal edges of adjacent panel boards by means of the clip members coacting with said panel board marginal edges and the reversely bent portions of said wall stud.

2. In a combination wall supporting stud and panel clip assembly adapted to support panels on the stud:

a. a supporting stud having an elongated support base adapted to extend from floor to ceiling, and having opposed marginal edges;

b. said support base being adapted to support panel 65 boards in back-to-back relation with an intermediate plenum therebetween by means of opposed panel board supporting portions on said marginal edges of said support base;

c. each of said panel board support portions being substantially normal to the elongated base and having an elongated substantially planar panel sup porting face terminating in opposed attaching surfaces;

d. a panel clip having a leg portion adapted to conform to the marginal edge of a panel board;

e. said panel clip leg portion having an angularly disposed protrusion adapted to extend into the marginal edge of a panel board, and a clip flange adapted to coact with the interior panel board face;

f. said clip flange having an angularly disposed clip insertion flange; and,

g. said clip insertion flange having a resilient clip retaining portion coacting with the attaching surfaces of said panel board supporting portions to support panel boards on said supporting stud.

3. The combination wall supporting stud and panel clip set forth in claim 2, wherein said clip insertion flange contains an angularly disposed lead face adapted to coact with the attaching surfaces of said panel board supporting portions to facilitate insertion of said'clip on said supporting stud.

4. The combination wall supporting stud and panel clip set forth in claim 2, wherein said resilient clip retaining portion comprises a first clip retaining portion extending outwardly from said clip insertion flange and a second clip retaining portion extending inwardly toward said clip insertion flange, said second clip retaining portion coacting with said stud attaching surface when said clip is inserted on said stud to retain panels on said stud.

5. The combination wall supporting stud and panel clip set forth in claim 4, wherein said clip insertion flange contains a cut-out portion adjacent said clip retaining portion permitting said second clip retaining portion to pass through said clip insertion flange upon application of said clip to said stud.

6. In a combination wall supporting stud and panel clip assembly adapted to support panel on the stud:

a. a supporting stud having an elongated member adapted to extend from floor to ceiling;

b. said stud having a portion adapted to support panel boards in a side-by-side relationship from adjacent panel boards or support wall with an intermediate plenum therebetween;

c. said stud having terminal portions adapted to form a backing means for supporting said panel boards;

d. each of said terminal portions being parallel to said panel board support portions and providing elongated planar panel supporting faces terminating in opposed attaching faces;

e. a panel clip having a leg portion adapted to conform to the marginal edge of a panel board;

f. said panel clip leg portion having an angularly disposed protrusion adapted to extend into the marginal edge of a panel board, and a clip flange adapted to coact with the interior panel board face;

g. said clip flange having an angularly disposed clip insertion flange; and,

h. said clip insertion flange having a resilient clip retainin g portion coactin g with the attaching surfaces of said panel board supporting portions to support panel boards on said supporting stud.

7. The combination wall supporting stud and panel clip assembly of claim 6 wherein said stud has means adjacent said terminal portion coacting with said panel clip to prevent lateral displacement of said panel board with respect to said stud.

8. The combination wall supporting stud and panel clip assembly of claim 7 wherein said panel clip leg portion has a tab angularly disposed with respect to said clip flange adapted to coact with said stud to prevent lateral displacement of said panel board with respect to said stud.

9. The combination wall supporting stud and panel clip assembly of claim 6 wherein said stud comprises back-to-back substantially U-shaped members having outward extensions forming the clip attaching portions, the stud having spaced portions adjacent said outward extensions, said panel clip having a tab angularly disposed to said clip flange adapted to coact with said stud spaced portions to prevent lateral displacement of said panel board with respect to said stud.

10. A panel clip for supporting panel boards having side edge portions on a wall stud comprising:

a. a leg portion adapted to lay flush with the side edge faces of the panel boards and having opposed side edges;

b. said leg portion having means on one side edge coacting with the panel board to retain said panel clip on said panel board;

0. a clip flange disposed on the opposite side edge of said leg portion and extending at an angle thereto;

d. a clip insertion flange extending from said clip flange in a direction away from said clip flange;

e. said clip insertion flange having a resilient clip retainin g portion adapted to coact with a wall stud to retain the panel boards on the wall stud; and,

f. said leg portion having an extension adapted to coact with the wall stud to prevent lateral displacement of said panel boards.

11. A panel clip as defined in claim 10 wherein said extension is disposed at an angular relationship to said leg portion similar to the angular relationship said clip flange to said leg portion with said extension being disposed beyond said clip insertion flange. 

1. A wall stud for supporting the edges of panel boards in adjacent relationship thereon by means of clip members comprising: a. an elongated support base adapted to extend from floor to ceiling, and having opposed marginal edges; b. said support base being adapted to support panel boards in back-to-back relation with an intermediate plenum therebetween by means of opposed panel board supporting portions carried on said marginal edges of said support base; c. each of said panel board supporting portions comprising an outward extension attached to said support base on the marginal edge thereof, and disposed at an angle to said support base; d. a panel board support flange carried by said outward extension on a reversely bent portion on said outward extension to extend inwardly toward said support base marginal edges; e. said panel board support flange terminating in another reversely bent portion having an inwardly extension extending toward said support base; and, f. said panel board support portions being adapted to support the marginal edges of adjacent panel boards by means of the clip members coacting with said panel board marginal edges and the reversely bent portions of said wall stud.
 2. In a combination wall supporting stud and panel clip assembly adapted to support panels on the stud: a. a supporting stud having an elongated support base adapted to extend from floor to ceiling, and having opposed marginal edges; b. said support base being adapted to support panel boards in back-to-back relation with an intermediate plenum therebetween by means of opposed panel board supporting portions on said marginal edges of said support base; c. each of said panel board support portions being substantially normal to the elongated base and having an elongated substantially planar panel supporting face terminating in opposed attaching surfaces; d. a panel clip having a leg portion adapted to conform to the marginal edge of a panel board; e. said panel clip leg portion having an angularly disposed protrusion adapted to extend into the marginal edge of a panel board, and a clip flange adapted to coact with the interior panel board face; f. said clip flange having an angularly disposed clip insertion flange; and, g. said clip insertion flange having a resilient clip retaining portion coacting with the attaching surfaces of said panel board supporting portions to support panel boards on said supporting stud.
 3. The combination wall supporting stud and panel clip set forth in claim 2, wherein said clip insertion flange contains an angularly disposed lead face adapted to coact with the attaching surfaces of said panel board supporting portions to facilitate insertion of said clip on said supporting stud.
 4. The combination wall supporting stud and panel clip set forth in claim 2, wherein said resilient clip retaining portion comprises a first clip retaining portion extending outwardly from said clip insertion flange and a second clip retaining portion extending inwardly toward said clip insertion flange, said second clip retaining portion coacting with said stud attaching surface when said clip is inserted on said stud to retain panels on said stud.
 5. The combinAtion wall supporting stud and panel clip set forth in claim 4, wherein said clip insertion flange contains a cut-out portion adjacent said clip retaining portion permitting said second clip retaining portion to pass through said clip insertion flange upon application of said clip to said stud.
 6. In a combination wall supporting stud and panel clip assembly adapted to support panel on the stud: a. a supporting stud having an elongated member adapted to extend from floor to ceiling; b. said stud having a portion adapted to support panel boards in a side-by-side relationship from adjacent panel boards or support wall with an intermediate plenum therebetween; c. said stud having terminal portions adapted to form a backing means for supporting said panel boards; d. each of said terminal portions being parallel to said panel board support portions and providing elongated planar panel supporting faces terminating in opposed attaching faces; e. a panel clip having a leg portion adapted to conform to the marginal edge of a panel board; f. said panel clip leg portion having an angularly disposed protrusion adapted to extend into the marginal edge of a panel board, and a clip flange adapted to coact with the interior panel board face; g. said clip flange having an angularly disposed clip insertion flange; and, h. said clip insertion flange having a resilient clip retaining portion coacting with the attaching surfaces of said panel board supporting portions to support panel boards on said supporting stud.
 7. The combination wall supporting stud and panel clip assembly of claim 6 wherein said stud has means adjacent said terminal portion coacting with said panel clip to prevent lateral displacement of said panel board with respect to said stud.
 8. The combination wall supporting stud and panel clip assembly of claim 7 wherein said panel clip leg portion has a tab angularly disposed with respect to said clip flange adapted to coact with said stud to prevent lateral displacement of said panel board with respect to said stud.
 9. The combination wall supporting stud and panel clip assembly of claim 6 wherein said stud comprises back-to-back substantially U-shaped members having outward extensions forming the clip attaching portions, the stud having spaced portions adjacent said outward extensions, said panel clip having a tab angularly disposed to said clip flange adapted to coact with said stud spaced portions to prevent lateral displacement of said panel board with respect to said stud.
 10. A panel clip for supporting panel boards having side edge portions on a wall stud comprising: a. a leg portion adapted to lay flush with the side edge faces of the panel boards and having opposed side edges; b. said leg portion having means on one side edge coacting with the panel board to retain said panel clip on said panel board; c. a clip flange disposed on the opposite side edge of said leg portion and extending at an angle thereto; d. a clip insertion flange extending from said clip flange in a direction away from said clip flange; e. said clip insertion flange having a resilient clip retaining portion adapted to coact with a wall stud to retain the panel boards on the wall stud; and, f. said leg portion having an extension adapted to coact with the wall stud to prevent lateral displacement of said panel boards.
 11. A panel clip as defined in claim 10 wherein said extension is disposed at an angular relationship to said leg portion similar to the angular relationship said clip flange to said leg portion with said extension being disposed beyond said clip insertion flange. 